Deaf and Equal

Oohhh. We all love a bit of recognition don’t we.
If you are looking for expert input with regards to legal compliance for Deaf-Discrimination, the many and various statutory obligations that need to be complied with, and guidance as to relevant case law / industry specific requirements……. Then www.deafandequal.com is your one stop shop

We are cultural educators and exist to bridge the ‘knowledge gap’ that exists in the hearing world with regards to the Deaf World.

Check out the free online session. 45-minutes which (although the ’tip of the iceberg’) will be the first step towards opening your eyes and lifting the lid on this EDI hot topic.

We are officially, the ‘Disability Education Organisation’ of 2024.

. Why the capital D Deaf-Community don’t always vibe with it.
If you don’t have LinkedIn, let me know and I’ll send you the copy. 👍🏻

www.linkedin.com

Waking up from a coma…..,
It’s a scary thing and one that only coma survivors can understand
This is a lovely story of human-canine support

"Gryffin sees everything as an adventure" Nine years ago, Ann experienced a coma triggered by an auto-immune response to a virus. When she regained consciousness, she was profoundly deaf.

We are approaching a very important general election and without pressure being exerted (very loudly and from all directions) - I can pretty much guarantee that no sign language interpreters will be up on stage when political debates are taking place.

The Deaf-Community are just as entitled to information about political parties (and what their policies are), so it is a travesty that political debate is denied them.

Please read this article about the inequality suffered by the Deaf-Community at the ballot box

I would very much appreciate it if you could share it with
your local MP and also any contacts you have at the BBC or ITV (or other platforms that may broadcast these debates)

Please- add some weight to the thought processes of the ’decision-makers’ when they decide whether or not to place a British sign language interpreter up on stage when moots and debates are being filmed.

I’m really hoping that you can be a
‘Deaf Champion’ to fight for the rights of D/deaf people and to ensure that members of the Deaf-Community have just as much information before they go to vote as the rest of the country.

All we need is an interpreter. It’s not such a big ask….

Share the hell out of this - on every social media platform you use.

Please

A few moments of your time WILL make a difference.

Additionally, if you know of any contacts that can help in this regard, please email me at
[email protected] to let me know the best way to reach them

Thank you

www.linkedin.com

Lets raise awareness of discrimination that is happening without any attempt to hide it!
IS this is an example of 'in your face' discrimination by an organisation that feels to be to be accountable..... Too Safe?
Or could it just be a coincidence that two different branches of John Lewis have had the same approach to Deaf job applicants.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6yw_WwMqCa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

It’s time for us to speak up. Not just one brand, but all brands across all industries. #DeafAwarenessWeek

Seeing seeing yourself represented on mainstream media is such an important part of feeling accepted in your society.

We’ve come forward in great leaps and strides in the last few years with Deaf BSL users being ‘lightly sprinkled’ across mainstream popular TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, Dr Who, EastEnders, Bake Off, and advertisers occasionally including a sign language component in adverts for sweets and treats.

This inevitably results in hearing people, seeing sign language in action, and sometimes that is the first time that they’ve ever paid attention to the language of the Ddeaf-Community.

Programs have existed for the Ddeaf-Community on TV for a long time, and interpreted versions of popular shows (and the news) have also been available for quite awhile, but hearing people aren’t accidentally going to stumble across those. ITVx even has its own BSL Channel now

We are entering a breakthrough period in history right now, where, instead of hearing people ‘objecting’ to seeing sign language, they are accepting of it.

This is having the positive ’knock on’ effect of more people wanting to learn sign language for the first time.

So, if you know any Deaf people that would like to be on the television, spreading the joy of sign language, and raising awareness for the hearing world…..

If so, Drummer television have got a potential TV show that they want to film - all about the adjustments that can make the lives of D/deaf people easier.

This will be really eye opening for the hearing world to see.

So - if you’re Deaf and want a home makeover….. or you know anyone else who would benefit, just contact Drummer Television by emailing in, or sending a BSL video clip to: [email protected]

Thanks also to the team at Sight for Surrey for raising awareness about this.👍🏻

Remember, there’s free training available if you think you may be committing Deaf-Discrimination in your workplace by accident. It’s 45-minutes of your time that could save you thousands in tribunal costs. Just click the link below and register.
https://training.deafandequal.com/put-deaf-discrimination-on-your-radar

Do you have a right to your own language?

www.linkedin.com

I want to talk briefly about the difference in the mental state of a person when their central [core] belief system is that they are Culturally Deaf, which is a cultural identity- as opposed to medically deaf, which is a disability.

You could not get two more opposing views, and yet, in the land of the ‘hearing’ we are all just……… ‘deaf’.

Lumped together as one homogeneous group sharing the same title and description despite the gaping crevasse that divides every thing we feel about ourselves, the way we live our lives, and every interaction we have with the ‘hearing world’.

Sometimes it is so incredibly difficult to ask for help from the ‘hearing-world’ because we should be able to bang our own drum and fight our own corner.

But hundreds of years of keeping it ‘in-house’ has not helped the status of the Deaf-Community to rise, not resulted in a turn-around in the education systems for our youngsters or the employment prospects for our olders.

There is no reasonable excuse for the fact that generations of deaf children are growing up educationally delayed, language deprived and mentally traumatised by the current hearing-centric systems that we are forced to submit to.

We must, wether we like it or not, reach out to ‘Hearing Champions’ that are prepared to bang the drum for the Deaf-Community. I know this is controversial……

But….. why must the Deaf-Community remain the most underemployed minority group in the UK?

Why should we put up with our children being under educated because they are forced to learn in a language that is not theirs?

Why should every step be a fight?

Hearing people don’t intentionally discriminate, but the lack of knowledge within the ‘hearing world’ is shockingly bad - and negative stereotyping occurs at a subconscious level.

Without training/education it will continue.

Hearing Champions can really make a positive impact and raise awareness and it is my belief that we should all be actively looking for people with influence in the field of training and education ( for the hearing world) to stand up and start ‘speaking out’ about the inequality that currently exists.

We have a free training webinar ( 45-minutes), which is a great start if you know hearing people that want to gain knowledge.

After the webinar, a weekly newsletter email is sent full of Deaf-Awareness issues which can really help readers to appreciate the lives of D/deaf people.

It’s a great (FREE) way to educate yourself in manageable bite sizes. Also, you can unsubscribe to the newsletter emails at any time 😊

Roll up…… roll up.
There’s never been a better time to start learning

Silent Struggles: Exploring Disparities for the Deaf in the UK and Legal Perspectives on Equality. (5-minute read. Please scroll).

Introduction: Deaf-Discrimination is defined as prejudice against individuals based on their level of hearing. Unconscious bias affects the decision making of ‘hearing people’ unless they receive training in this area and this manifests itself as discrimination against the Deaf community, impacting their daily lives and perpetuating social inequality

Culturally Deaf people do not consider themselves to be disabled. Their belief is that they are a naturally occurring variety of human-being that communicates using a different language. For a Culturally Deaf person, being Deaf is not a medical condition but a defining aspect of their identity, tied to a rich cultural heritage and a unique way of life. It is rooted in the concept of Deaf culture - a distinct cultural and linguistic community where sign language is not seen as a substitute for spoken language but as a complete and expressive language with its own grammar and syntax. It is not just a means of communication but a cultural marker that binds individuals within the Deaf community.

Culturally Deaf individuals share cultural norms and values, a common set of experiences related to living in a ‘hearing world’ and ownership of a shared history passed from parent-to-child of historical oppression and abuse. There is a sense of pride in being Deaf and an appreciation for the unique aspects of Deaf culture. Culturally Deaf individuals reject the notion that Deafness needs to be "fixed" or "cured" and instead celebrate their identity.

Discrimination and the Impact on the Deaf Community: Deaf individuals face various challenges, including limited access to education in their own language, employment, and healthcare, resulting in social isolation and reduced opportunities for personal and professional growth. Deaf-Discrimination perpetuates stereotypes, creating an environment where Deaf individuals are marginalized and excluded from mainstream society.

Employment Discrimination: One area where Deaf-Discrimination is particularly prevalent is in the workplace. Deaf individuals encounter discriminatory practices from start to finish. Accessing job adverts in BSL, attending interviews without interpreters, STTR or lip-speakers, not having interpreted access to crucial documents such as ‘terms and conditions’ or grievance policies – all of which hinder their career advancement. Employers may fail to provide reasonable adjustments such as sign language interpreters or visual aids, and don’t train hearing staff how to interact respectfully with Deaf colleagues, contributing to a hostile work environment. This discrimination not only affects the individual but also deprives society of diverse perspectives and talents.

Legal Ramifications: Legislation to protect D/deaf people from discrimination exists as UK law, International law and case law with additional regulation in areas such as the NHS. The Equality Act 2010 and its predecessor, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 serve as a comprehensive framework, ensuring that the Deaf-Community are safeguarded against discriminatory practices.

However the legal profession in the UK is woefully undertrained in this area and the majority have little or no understanding of the Cultural Minority status of the Deaf. This results in case law being brought only in the area of ‘discrimination’ which is offensive to those identifying as Culturally Deaf.

A Few Case Law Examples:
Mr C. Thatcher v. Premiere Care (2021)
Lisa Coffey v. Police Constable of Norfolk (2019)
Elliott v. Dorset Police (2019)
Hinton v. University of East Anglia (2019)
Brighton and Sussex Hospital NHS Trust v. Croydon (2017)
Davies v. Chief Constable of Merseyside Police (2016)
Martin v. London Borough of Croydon (2015)
Clark v. Chief Constable of Gwent Police (2014)
(EHRC) Investigation (2013)
Kelly v. Royal Mail Group (2013)
Gill v. Greater Manchester Police (2012)
O'Neill v. Buckinghamshire County Council (2011)
BCODP v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (2010)
Dixon v. British Telecommunications plc (2009)
Griffiths v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (2008)
RNID v. Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (2008)
Munir v. Pinnacle Recruitment and Training Ltd (2005)

Conclusion: Deaf discrimination is a major problem in the UK, impacting the lives of Deaf individuals across all aspects of society. Legal frameworks such as the Equality Act 2010 should provide an avenue for protection, but the law, a supposed ally, often feels like a distant echo to the Deaf-Community. Lawyers and courts may as well be a foreign land as they have no understanding of Cultural Identity.

As it stands, unless culturally Deaf people are prepared to ‘submit’ to the unwanted label that the hearing world places upon them ‘that they are disabled’ they cannot fight for equality. They have no right to even be educated in their own [British] language.

It is crucial to continue raising awareness, promoting inclusivity, and working towards a society that values and respects the rights of the Deaf-Community. The English Legal System needs to understand what Deaf culture is, be prepared to bring cases for linguicide, language deprivation and minority cultural discrimination as well as taking steps to promote and protect those who are lower case ‘d’ deaf who are content to be described as disabled.
To access a free training webinar on Deaf-Discrimination, find us online: www.deafandequal.com

New Year’s Ramblings…Please scroll....Wouldn’t it be fabulous if business and economic leaders chose to be compliant for Deaf-Discrimination because they knew it was the right thing to do…….. (not just because they’re about to get dragged to court without a defence).
Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if the UK led from the top down……… provided content in BSL format (without judicial review), funded BSL learning for the parents of deaf children, got their quangos such as PIP and AtW assessors to provide reports in BSL and pre-booked STTR, lip speakers, note-takers, translators and interpreters (without a fuss being made or the appointment being delayed).
Imagine a country where the only thing ‘disabling’ a Deaf person could be that the designated ’Deaf-Champion’ has popped to the loo and back in 5-minutes…
Just imagine the productive and integrated lives the Deaf- Community would lead…… being represented in every work force and sector, gaining equal educational attainment (having been taught in their own language)
Ahhh. What a lovely dream….. Meanwhile, the UK government will have to do without the PAYE deposits from the most underrepresented, most misunderstood and underrated minority group because they can’t achieve in schools due to a lack of TODs, graduate with grades lower than their abilities, unlikely to enter further education and can’t find decent employment. Stuck in a cycle of despair at the ‘hearing world’s’ total failure to recognise their culture, their language and their WORTH
Please can we do better 🙏
Pretty please?
Hop over to www.deafandequal.com where we share a free 45-minute training session with you.
We’d like to tell you that you should educate yourself because treating humans properly is the right thing to do and everyone loves nice people and unicorns “happy carrot”. However (just in case it’s the bucks you’re worried about)…. Seriously! Educate yourself because you may well land in court otherwise “ugly stick” and we’ll all be very cross about it. Especially your shareholders, and investors….although, not the journalists, the journalist won’t be cross. They’ll LOVE IT
Smile for the camera 🎥
Cheers
(Only tea in that mug…I promise and not a hairbrush in sight)
Back to work tomorrow with smooth locks and no pyjamas.

Happy New Year Everyone